Transformative Language Arts Concentration

The low residency MA in Individualized Studies Program offers a 48 credit concentration in Transformative Language Arts with masters degree. 

 

The Transformative Language Arts concentration is for students interested in the intentional use of the written, spoken, and sung word for individual and community growth, development, celebration, and transformation. Students choosing this concentration build on and extend their previous experience with the spoken and/or written word to further develop a transformative practice for themselves and their communities.

 

Transformative language arts is a new and emerging academic field focused on social and personal transformation through the power of the written, spoken, or sung word. Drawing on all of the language arts, transformative language artists bring the language arts to community-building, cultural and ecological restoration, personal development, and many other areas of individual and collective liberation. Transformative language artists, scholars, facilitators, and consultants facilitate creativity and the use of language arts in many venues, such as community centers, schools, prisons, health centers and hospitals, businesses, research facilities, retreat centers, and more.

 

Students choosing this concentration learn how to develop and sustain meaningful community engagement and work that gives them an opportunity to make a living through transformative language arts. At the same time, students deepen their own practice as transformative language artists in writing, storytelling, drama, multi-genre efforts, and interdisciplinary arts involving the power of words.

"In the tradition of Tikkum Olam, the Hebrew phrase that means putting back together the broken world, Transformative Language Arts draws upon creative writing, storytelling, songwriting, drama, performance, and other forms of written, and oral communication that contribute to naming and honoring individual and community experience, perceptions, voice and vision."

--- Concentration Coordinator Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg 

"My own life was transformed as a result of the work I accomplished in the Transformative Language Arts Program, in important and gorgeously difficult ways. I'm so grateful for the gentle and generous guidance of my peers and advisors - I bring them with me, in heart and spirit, as I move through the world continuing the work we began together in Vermont."

--- Jennifer Cross, Transformative Language Arts Graduate

The Power of Words Conference

The Power of Words Conference, founded by Goddard College's
Transformative Language Arts Concentration, is now organized by the
Transformative Language Arts Network, an organization of concentration
alumni, students, and friends, in partnership with the college. The
eighth annual conference will be September 22-26,2010 at Goddard College
and features Gregory Orr, Nancy Mellon, Greg Greenway, S. Pearl Sharp,
Katherine Towler and Kim Rosen. For more information, please see http://www.TLANetwork.org.